Insomnia, anciently named inability to acquire sleep or sleeplessness, is a disorder which is characterized by frequent inability to acquire normal sleep. In mild cases, the patient finds it hard to fall sleep, or difficult to sleep soundly, or in other words, he/she can not sleep again after waking up. In serious cases, the patient can not fall asleep all the night. This disorder may occur alone or together with other disorders like headache, vertigo, palpitation, amnesia and so on. In western medicine, insomnia is usually involved in neurosis, perimenopause syndrome, etc. 

Etiology and Pathology

In western medicine, the occurrence of insomnia is related to various kinds of factors, among which mental factor is an important reason inducing it. In addition, genetic factor, over fatigue and other physical diseases may also be involved with the onset of insomnia. 

Pattern Differentiation

It is characterized by profuse dreaming, tendency to wake up easily from sleep ,palpitation, forgetfulness, fatigue spirit and lack of strength, experiencing food as lacking in flavor, lusterless facial complexion, pale tongue and thin tongue fur ,and weak pulse.

It is characterized by heart vexation, sleeplessness, dizziness, tinnitus, dry mouth with scant liquid, burning sensation of five centres., red tongue and rapid pulse, or nocturnal emission and involuntary emission, forgetfulness, palpitation, soreness of the waist, etc. 

It is characterized by insomnia, oppression in the chest, head heaviness, heart vexation, bitter taste in the mouth, dizzy vision, yellow slimy tongue fur, as well as slippery and rapid pulse.

It is characterized by insomnia, irritability, anorexia, thirst and preference for drinking, reddish eyes, bitter taste in the mouth, yellowish or reddish urine, constipation, reddish tongue, yellow tongue fur, as well string-like pulse and rapid pulse.

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